11 Ways you might be shortening your dog's life

Help your dog live it's longest life possible by avoiding these things that could be shortening their life as noted by the website PetMD.com.

2 of 23

Letting your dog gain an unhealthy amount of weight

An estimated 53% of dogs are classified as overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. On top of this, 95% of the owners of these overweight dogs are incorrectly identifying them as being a normal weight.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: rist2796

3 of 23

To help your dog shed some pounds it is important to monitor the amount of food you are feeding them, and to limit their consumption of people food. Also make sure that your pets receive sufficient exercise and are active whenever possible.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: JnL

4 of 23

Neglecting their dental care

The American Humane Society estimates that 85% of dogs who are over the age of five suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by a collection of food and bacteria along the gum line, and can lead to health problems such as heart valve issues and infections with their kidneys.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rachel329

5 of 23

Help your dog by grabbing a toothbrush and scrubbing their teeth whenever possible, or giving them chew toys and bones that will help reduce plaque. The next time you bring your dog to the vet also ask for a professional cleaning session.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Azawakh K9

6 of 23

Skipping their annual Veterinarian visits

It might not be convenient, but skipping the annual check ups for your dog at the vets can take years off their lives.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Army Medicine

7 of 23

Bringing your dog to the vets annually will provide a better analysis of their health than you can determine from simply monitoring their behavior and moods. Although your dog may seem fine, veterinarians can detect symptoms that might require treatment.

PHOTO: Pixabay: skeeze

8 of 23

Not getting their daily exercise

A lack of exercise can lead to obesity and pent up energy. Just like people, dogs benefit from daily exercise to prolong their life.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

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9 of 23

Find an activity that both you and your dog enjoy to help them expel their energy and also provide mental stimulation.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

10 of 23

You're exposing them to second-hand smoke

Humans aren't the only people who suffer from second-hand smoke. Your dogs lungs cannot handle smoke being blown at them, and just like humans this can lead to an increased cancer risk and also respiratory issues.

PHOTO: Pixabay: pakura

11 of 23

The best way to solve this problem is to limit their exposure to second-hand smoke, which is better for both you and your dog.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Alexas_Fotos

12 of 23

Forgetting to give them their heartworm and flea/tick prevention medicine

Help protect your dog from potentially life threatening diseases by remembering to give them their flea, heartwork, and tick medicine.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lee J Haywood

13 of 23

There are a variety of different manners in which these medicines can be administered to dogs, so find the option that works best for you and your dog and follow the guidelines for administering them closely!

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rlevse

14 of 23

You're pushing certain dog breeds too much

All dogs have different exercise requirements, and you might be pushing your dog too hard.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Jina Lee

15 of 23

Speak to your veterinarian about the type and amount of exercise which is best for your dog breed.

PHOTO: Pixabay: sanremo-domains

16 of 23

Feeding your dog human food from the table

Not only can table scraps provide your dogs with extra unnecessary calories, you run the risk of inducing pancreatitis if you are feeding your dog fatty human food.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Vato Bob

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17 of 23

If you have no willpower over providing your dogs with human food when they look at you, give them something like baby carrots or apple slices.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: pmarkham

18 of 23

Letting your dog outside while they are unsupervised

When your dog is outside unsupervised they become susceptible to many different tragedies from cars to predators to even dangerous people.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: cogdogblog

19 of 23

Always supervise your dog when they are outside if they are not on a leash, and if you feel that you are in an area where a dog roaming loose could be at risk, keep them on a leash.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: smerikal

20 of 23

Not socializing your dogs

When dogs are not socialized not only do they not enjoy the benefits of being around other dogs, they also can develop anxiety and fear-related issues towards other dogs.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

21 of 23

Take your dog at a young age to training classes and meet-up groups where they can get to know other dogs. Also when you are out walking your dog stop and let them greet other dogs you encounter after it is cleared by that dogs owner.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons

22 of 23

Not spaying or neutering your dogs

Choosing to not spay or neuter your dog can make them more susceptible to various forms of cancer that they would otherwise be less at risk for had they had these procedures.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Ryniu1234

23 of 23

Talk to your veterinarian about having your dogs spayed or neutered and they will be happy to discuss the benefits of these procedures with you.

Help your dog live it's longest life possible by avoiding these things that could be shortening their life as noted by the website PetMD.com.

Letting your dog gain an unhealthy amount of weight

An estimated 53% of dogs are classified as overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. On top of this, 95% of the owners of these overweight dogs are incorrectly identifying them as being a normal weight.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: rist2796

To help your dog shed some pounds it is important to monitor the amount of food you are feeding them, and to limit their consumption of people food. Also make sure that your pets receive sufficient exercise and are active whenever possible.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: JnL

Neglecting their dental care

The American Humane Society estimates that 85% of dogs who are over the age of five suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by a collection of food and bacteria along the gum line, and can lead to health problems such as heart valve issues and infections with their kidneys.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rachel329

Help your dog by grabbing a toothbrush and scrubbing their teeth whenever possible, or giving them chew toys and bones that will help reduce plaque. The next time you bring your dog to the vet also ask for a professional cleaning session.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Azawakh K9

Skipping their annual Veterinarian visits

It might not be convenient, but skipping the annual check ups for your dog at the vets can take years off their lives.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Army Medicine

Bringing your dog to the vets annually will provide a better analysis of their health than you can determine from simply monitoring their behavior and moods. Although your dog may seem fine, veterinarians can detect symptoms that might require treatment.

PHOTO: Pixabay: skeeze

Not getting their daily exercise

A lack of exercise can lead to obesity and pent up energy. Just like people, dogs benefit from daily exercise to prolong their life.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

Find an activity that both you and your dog enjoy to help them expel their energy and also provide mental stimulation.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

You're exposing them to second-hand smoke

Humans aren't the only people who suffer from second-hand smoke. Your dogs lungs cannot handle smoke being blown at them, and just like humans this can lead to an increased cancer risk and also respiratory issues.

PHOTO: Pixabay: pakura

The best way to solve this problem is to limit their exposure to second-hand smoke, which is better for both you and your dog.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Alexas_Fotos

Forgetting to give them their heartworm and flea/tick prevention medicine

Help protect your dog from potentially life threatening diseases by remembering to give them their flea, heartwork, and tick medicine.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lee J Haywood

There are a variety of different manners in which these medicines can be administered to dogs, so find the option that works best for you and your dog and follow the guidelines for administering them closely!

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rlevse

You're pushing certain dog breeds too much

All dogs have different exercise requirements, and you might be pushing your dog too hard.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Jina Lee

Speak to your veterinarian about the type and amount of exercise which is best for your dog breed.

PHOTO: Pixabay: sanremo-domains

Feeding your dog human food from the table

Not only can table scraps provide your dogs with extra unnecessary calories, you run the risk of inducing pancreatitis if you are feeding your dog fatty human food.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Vato Bob

If you have no willpower over providing your dogs with human food when they look at you, give them something like baby carrots or apple slices.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: pmarkham

Letting your dog outside while they are unsupervised

When your dog is outside unsupervised they become susceptible to many different tragedies from cars to predators to even dangerous people.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: cogdogblog

Always supervise your dog when they are outside if they are not on a leash, and if you feel that you are in an area where a dog roaming loose could be at risk, keep them on a leash.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: smerikal

Not socializing your dogs

When dogs are not socialized not only do they not enjoy the benefits of being around other dogs, they also can develop anxiety and fear-related issues towards other dogs.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

Take your dog at a young age to training classes and meet-up groups where they can get to know other dogs. Also when you are out walking your dog stop and let them greet other dogs you encounter after it is cleared by that dogs owner.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons

Not spaying or neutering your dogs

Choosing to not spay or neuter your dog can make them more susceptible to various forms of cancer that they would otherwise be less at risk for had they had these procedures.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Ryniu1234

Talk to your veterinarian about having your dogs spayed or neutered and they will be happy to discuss the benefits of these procedures with you.

Help your dog live it's longest life possible by avoiding these things that could be shortening their life as noted by the website PetMD.com.

Letting your dog gain an unhealthy amount of weight

An estimated 53% of dogs are classified as overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. On top of this, 95% of the owners of these overweight dogs are incorrectly identifying them as being a normal weight.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: rist2796

To help your dog shed some pounds it is important to monitor the amount of food you are feeding them, and to limit their consumption of people food. Also make sure that your pets receive sufficient exercise and are active whenever possible.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: JnL

Neglecting their dental care

The American Humane Society estimates that 85% of dogs who are over the age of five suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by a collection of food and bacteria along the gum line, and can lead to health problems such as heart valve issues and infections with their kidneys.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rachel329

Help your dog by grabbing a toothbrush and scrubbing their teeth whenever possible, or giving them chew toys and bones that will help reduce plaque. The next time you bring your dog to the vet also ask for a professional cleaning session.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Azawakh K9

Skipping their annual Veterinarian visits

It might not be convenient, but skipping the annual check ups for your dog at the vets can take years off their lives.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Army Medicine

Bringing your dog to the vets annually will provide a better analysis of their health than you can determine from simply monitoring their behavior and moods. Although your dog may seem fine, veterinarians can detect symptoms that might require treatment.

PHOTO: Pixabay: skeeze

Not getting their daily exercise

A lack of exercise can lead to obesity and pent up energy. Just like people, dogs benefit from daily exercise to prolong their life.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

Find an activity that both you and your dog enjoy to help them expel their energy and also provide mental stimulation.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

You're exposing them to second-hand smoke

Humans aren't the only people who suffer from second-hand smoke. Your dogs lungs cannot handle smoke being blown at them, and just like humans this can lead to an increased cancer risk and also respiratory issues.

PHOTO: Pixabay: pakura

The best way to solve this problem is to limit their exposure to second-hand smoke, which is better for both you and your dog.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Alexas_Fotos

Forgetting to give them their heartworm and flea/tick prevention medicine

Help protect your dog from potentially life threatening diseases by remembering to give them their flea, heartwork, and tick medicine.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Lee J Haywood

There are a variety of different manners in which these medicines can be administered to dogs, so find the option that works best for you and your dog and follow the guidelines for administering them closely!

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Rlevse

You're pushing certain dog breeds too much

All dogs have different exercise requirements, and you might be pushing your dog too hard.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Jina Lee

Speak to your veterinarian about the type and amount of exercise which is best for your dog breed.

PHOTO: Pixabay: sanremo-domains

Feeding your dog human food from the table

Not only can table scraps provide your dogs with extra unnecessary calories, you run the risk of inducing pancreatitis if you are feeding your dog fatty human food.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Vato Bob

If you have no willpower over providing your dogs with human food when they look at you, give them something like baby carrots or apple slices.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: pmarkham

Letting your dog outside while they are unsupervised

When your dog is outside unsupervised they become susceptible to many different tragedies from cars to predators to even dangerous people.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: cogdogblog

Always supervise your dog when they are outside if they are not on a leash, and if you feel that you are in an area where a dog roaming loose could be at risk, keep them on a leash.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: smerikal

Not socializing your dogs

When dogs are not socialized not only do they not enjoy the benefits of being around other dogs, they also can develop anxiety and fear-related issues towards other dogs.

PHOTO: Pixabay: 825545

Take your dog at a young age to training classes and meet-up groups where they can get to know other dogs. Also when you are out walking your dog stop and let them greet other dogs you encounter after it is cleared by that dogs owner.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons

Not spaying or neutering your dogs

Choosing to not spay or neuter your dog can make them more susceptible to various forms of cancer that they would otherwise be less at risk for had they had these procedures.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Ryniu1234

Talk to your veterinarian about having your dogs spayed or neutered and they will be happy to discuss the benefits of these procedures with you.

PHOTO: Pixabay: Incygneia

11 Ways you might be shortening your dog's life

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Updated: 12:13 PM EST Jan 4, 2017

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Help your dog live it's longest life possible by avoiding these things that could be shortening their life as noted by the website PetMD.com.